Camera Modes and What They Do!

October 16, 2021

What do the Camera Modes Mean?

There are tons of Camera modes, and it can be quite confusing when you first look at them.

I will be explaining the basic modes that ALL cameras have and I will be covering some of the Canon specific modes.

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Automatic: AUTO or A+ Mode:

This mode is the most basic mode on the camera. This mode simply tells the camera to adjust all the settings. The camera will decide the f-stop, shutter speed and ISO. It will also determine the white balance and all other settings. You have no control over them.

If you want to take pictures without worrying about anything, this is the mode to use.

The downfall of using AUTO mode is the camera uses what it senses to determine the setting. This can sometimes cause images to not look as you want.

For example, if it lowers the shutter to get more exposure, but there’s movement in the image, it could turn out blurry. Other times the camera will boost the ISO causing the image to have more grain/noise.

Aperture Priority - Av or A Mode:

This mode allows you to adjust your f-stop and the camera will adjust the other two settings for proper exposure. Av stands for Aperture Value which is Canon’s way of designating this mode. Other cameras use an “A”.

Some cameras allow you to adjust and set the ISO in this mode as well. You can usually set your ISO to adjust automatically or set it to a specific setting.

In addition, you are usually able to adjust the EV or exposure value, sometimes known as the Exposure Compensation. This allows you to tell the camera to take a certain exposure level when taking a photo.

This meter here shows the exposure of a photo. The meter is relative to what the camera senses. The middle represents properly exposure, to the left represents darker or underexposed and the right represents lighter or over exposed photos.

When you adjust the Exposure Value, you are telling your camera to shoot that level of exposure. The camera adjusts the settings to fit that adjustment.

This mode is great if you understand what the F-Stop does. What effects it creates and how to use it. It’s a slightly more controllable mode.

Shutter Priority - Tv or S Mode:

This mode allows you to adjust your shutter speed and the camera will adjust the other two settings for the proper exposure. Tv stands for Time Value and is Canon’s way of designating this mode. Other cameras use a “S”

Some cameras allow you to adjust and set the ISO in this mode as well. You can usually set your ISO to adjust automatically or set it to a specific setting.

When you adjust the Exposure Value, you are telling your camera to shoot that level of exposure. The camera adjusts the settings to fit that adjustment.

If you want to make sure your shutter is set at a certain speed and don’t worry about adjust the others for proper exposure, this is the one to use.

Program Mode - P Mode (ISO Priority):

Similar to Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority, Program Mode allows you to adjust the ISO and the camera adjusts the Shutter and F-stop for proper exposure.

In addition to the ISO, in Program mode you can adjust the Exposure Value (explained above), White Balance, Metering (where it is focusing) and whether or not your camera will use the Flash.

Program mode is an interesting mode but it’s good to use to learn how your ISO works and what effects it creates at different settings. As you’re learning the different settings, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Program Mode are great modes to learn the settings and get more familiar with your camera.

Manual Mode - M:

This mode is the full control mode. The mode that most professional and dedicated photographers use. In this mode you are in full control of the F-Stop, Shutter Speed, and ISO. Including white balance and the focus modes.

If you take a properly exposed photo inside then go outside into the sunlight and take a picture, that photo will be over-exposed if you do not adjust the settings. The camera will not change anything.

This mode is the best mode to use to really get the full benefit out of your camera.

By knowing each of your camera settings perfectly, you’ll be able to maximize your cameras capabilities. However, if you do not understand something your photos can turn out bad.

Manual mode is an amazing mode but definitely has a learning curve. Take it easy and even if you don’t use it fully, you definitely want to know HOW to use it

Bulb Mode - B:

This mode allows you to keep the shutter open longer than the cameras native shutter length (which is usually 30 seconds). Most cameras have a B on the knob but if it doesn’t some cameras switch to bulb mode when you are in manual and set the shutter past the native length.

For example, if you are in manual mode and adjust your shutter to 30 seconds and then farther, the time might turn to a B. This means you have entered bulb mode. At this time the shutter will remain open as long as you hold down the shutter release.

Just know that anytime you take a photo with a long exposure, any movement will cause the photo to be blurry. This is why in bulb mode it’s wise to use a remote trigger. If you aren’t going to expose for over 30 seconds then bulb mode isn’t

really necessary.

Time Exposure Mode - T:

This mode is newer but worth mentioning. This is essentially Bulb mode without the need to hold the shutter. Simply press the shutter to start and press the shutter to end. Very convenient and hopefully more cameras start using this rather than Bulb mode.

Creative Auto Mode - CA:

This mode is a more customizable “auto” mode. The camera still adjust the settings but you can control a few things to set parameters for the camera.

Picture Style: You are able to set a sort of filter that the camera adds to the photo to give a certain look. Think of a filter you can add on Instagram. Some of, but not all of the choices are: vivid, monochrome (black and white), soft, warm, intense, cool, etc. You can also adjust the intensity of this filter from low to high.

Amount of Blur: You can choose more blur in the background or less and levels in between. If you don’t fully understand your f-stop then this is a cool way to “manually” adjust the amount of blur you want, and your camera will apply the appropriate setting.

Otherwise, the mode is fully auto. It’s a fun little mode that gives you a little more creative control without needing to really understand the settings.

Shooting in Scene Mode - SCN:

This is another “creative” auto mode. The camera still has full control over your settings, but you can set the “scene” that you are shooting. By choosing the scene you are giving your camera a little more data on what it’s shooting. This allows it to pick more accurate settings.

Some of but not all of the scenes are: Close-Up, Food, Night Portrait, HDR Back Light, Sports, Portraits and more.

In this mode you can also adjust the EV (exposure value) or Exposure

Compensation as mentioned above. This will allow you to tell the camera to take photos “darker” or “brighter”.

Cameras that don’t have this specific mode – SCN – might have images of the scenes on the dial like these:

These are the scenes you can choose in this mode.

Custom Mode – C1, C2, C3:

These modes are manual modes that allow you to set the base settings. Say you have a group of settings you use most of the time. In manual mode, adjust your camera to these settings. In the settings menu, there will be a place for you to REGISTER CUSTOM SETTINGS. Register the current settings to C1, C2, etc

When you switch to this mode, your camera will automatically change the camera to these settings. Once there, you can then manually adjust the settings from there and you are essentially in a manual mode. You have full control. It just sets the base line.

Some cameras have 2 or 3 of these custom modes. They are very beneficial and can speed you up a ton.

You also have the option to clear these settings. You can either register new settings and overwrite the current ones or you can go into the menu and “Clear Registered Settings.

Summary

Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program, Bulb, Manual and the Custom modes are normal modes on Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji, and other camera brands. There are unique modes each brand has and if I didn’t cover those, google those because it’s important to understand the modes on your specific camera.

The modes are a fun way to really learn and use your camera. Even if you’re not comfortable with the camera settings, you can use the other modes to get more familiar with them and gradiently get better.

Use Auto mode at first to just get used to taking photos, then switch to Aperture Priority and learn the effects of your F-stop. After that, use Shutter priority for the little bit to get familiar with that setting and even use Program mode to learn ISO.

Eventually get to Manual mode for full control and power over your camera.

Whether you use Manual the majority of the time or not, the important thing is to understand how your camera works, how the settings effect each photo and that you are comfortable taking photos with your camera.